Crease proofed cuffed trousers and method of adjusting length of same



Nov.` 10, 1970 M. HERNANDEZ F o w H T E M D NE Am Mn\v F E Muvo om RG TN DE ML G F um CT S DU E J wm O R D.. E S A E R C Filed 001'.. 16, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

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INVENTOR. MANLlo HERNANDEZ www@ BY ,m

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ATTORNEYS Nov. vIl), 1970 M. HERNANDEZ 3,538,513

' GREASE PROOFED CUFFED TROUSERS AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING LENGTH OF SAME Filed Oct. 1 6, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lik- 68 70 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,538,513 CREASE PROOFED CUFFED TROUSERS AND METHOD F ADJUSTING LENGTH 0F SAME Manlio Hernandez, 1111 Grand Ave., Grover City, Calif. 93433 Filed Oct. 16, 1968, Ser. No. 768,067 Int. Cl. A41d 27/10 U.S. Cl. 2-269 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A trouser constructed of a fibrous material treated with a crease-proofing agent has trouser legs with free trouser ends and a pair of cuffs each comprising an inner and an outer cuff member, first and second ends, a center-fold and a pair of intermediate folds arranged so that the ends of the cuff are disposed adjacent each other. After the length of the trouser legs is adjusted, the cuffs are secured to the free ends thereof by placing the ends of the cuffs interiorly of the trouser leg ends and securing the cuffs thereto. The method for adjusting the length of already cuffed trousers requires that the cuff is severed from the trouser legs at the lowermost fold positioned between the end of the trouser leg and the cuffs, adjusting, i.e. shortening, the length of the trouser legs, and placing the end of the cuffs that has been severed from the trouser leg adjacent the trouser leg so that cuff material between such cuff end and an upper fold of the cuff adjoins and is parallel to the trouser leg. The other end of the cuff is positioned on the interior of the trouser leg and both cuff ends are secured to the trouser leg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to crease-proofed trousers and more particularly to crease-proofed cuffed trousers, the length of which is adjustable.

In the recent past, trousers, particularly mens trousers, have become popular which are constructed of a fibrous material, such as cotton, regenerated cellulose (rayon), and blends of cotton, rayon, and other natural and synthetic fibers which are treated with a crease-proofing agent to permanently retain creases formed in the material. The repositioning of the original creases or the forming of new creases in such trousers is virtually impossible because the agent resists such creasing.

If the ends of the trouser legs have cuffs which are, of course, also crease-proofed, an adjustment in the length of the trousers becomes difficult or almost impossible since the cuffs, which are formed by a number of creases or folds, cannot readily be formed. For example, if trousers are to be shortened the cuffs have to be formed by portions of the trouser legs which have theretofore been straight. The crease-proofing agent resists such formation of the cuffs and, at the best, gives a cuff having an unsightly appearance.

A similar problem exists in the merchandising of new crease-proof trousers. Conventionally, trousers are merchandised with eXtra long trouser legs which, at the point of sale, are shortened to fit the purchaser and then cuifed. If the material has been crease-proofed, the formation of such cuff is difficult and provides an unattractively appearing trouser which cannot demand the price which could ordinarily be expected from high quality merchandise. Consequently, merchandisers have to stock the same trousers in a variety of trouser lengths to be able to service all customers which requires a large inventory and is a heavy financial burden on them.

In the past, attempts have been made to provide independently formed cuffs with each new pair of trousers, which cuffs are Secured to the trouser leg ends after ICC the latter have been trimmed to their correct length. An example of such an attempt can be found in U.S. Pat. 3,166,765 in which a cuff is formed by folding the material twice. One end of the cuff is placed on the interior of the trouser leg and stitched thereto, and the remainder of the cuff is folded upwardly, with respect to the trouser leg, adjacent the end of the latter and again folded nwardly and downwardly to define an upper cuff fold line and place the other end of the cuff intermediate the trouser leg and the outermost portion of the cuff.

Although this approach makes it possible to employ the heretofore customary practice of merchandising new trousers with over-length trouser legs, the appearance and wear of the cuff has not stood up to the otherwise high quality of the trousers. More particularly, whereas in conventional, non-crease-proof trousers an inner and an outer cuff is formed, the inner cuff being an integral part of the trouser leg, the cuff disclosed in that patent does not have an inner cuff but merely a length of free material which is independent of the trouser leg. The inwardly tucked end of the cuff is free to move, can wrinkle, permits the accumulation of dirt and debris, particularly between the tucked in portion and the remainder of the cuff, and the latter has, therefore, not become generally accepted.

A perhaps more critical problem is found when creaseproofed, cuffed trousers must be shortened. In the prior art this was accomplished lby unfolding the original cuff, shortening the trouser leg and the re-forming of a new cuff. The original cuff folds can be located on the exterior side of the new cuff, which is acceptable with conventional materials but which is unacceptable when the material has been crease-proofed since such a fold remains permanently visible. In addition, the newly formed cuff folds do not retain their shape for the reasons mentioned in -the preceding paragraph. Shortened, crease-proofed trousers thus have a generally inferior appearance and are disliked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION First, the present invention provides a method whereby the length of crease-proofed cuffed trousers can be shortened without sacrificing the appearance of the altered trousers. Briefly, the method comprises the steps of severing the cuff of the trouser, which has inner and outer lower end fold lines and an upper fold line, from a trouser leg at the inner, lower fold line between the leg and the cuff and changing the length of the trouser leg as desired. Thereafter, a first cuff end is secured to the end of the trouser leg so that cuff material between said cuff end and the upper fold line of the cuff is essentially straight, parallel with and adjoining said trouser leg. The original lowermost outer fold line of the cuff is retained and a second end of the cuff is placed on the interior of the trouser leg. Preferably, the second leg is also secured to the trouser leg.

By virtue of this method, it is now possible to shorten crease-proofed cuffed trousers since the original cuff is retained and a new manner in which the cuff is secured to the shortened trouser leg has been devised. In addition, the desirable feature of an inner and outer cuff, which retains its original shape and prevents dirt and debris from entering in hidden crevices is maintained.

Second, the present invention provides a crease-proofed trouser having a free, uncuffed end and a specially constructed cuff adapted to be secured to the trouser after the legs of the latter have been adjusted to their proper length at the point of sale. Each cuff has an inner and outer cuff member, first and second ends dimensioned to match with the free ends of the trouser legs. An upper fold is positioned midway between the ends of the cuff and a pair of intermediate folds are arranged so that the cuff ends are disposed adjacent each other. This enables the cuffs to be secured to the free ends of the trouser legs in a smooth, wrinkle free manner, covering the -free ends of the legs, by placing the free ends of the trouser legs between the ends of the cuffs and the upper cuff fold and securing the cuff ends to the trouser legs.

The cuff can be preformed and crease-proofed during the manufacture of the trousers and can be enclosed with the trousers for subsequent sale. The need for stocking each trouser size in a number of different trouser leg lengths and the accompanying heavy economic burden on the merchandiser is thereby eliminated. In addition, of course, the cuff has a flawless appearance, consists of an outer and inner cuff member to give it wear characteristics compatible with cuffs which are integrally formed with the trouser leg, and the crease-proofed fold lines of the cuff assure that it maintains it shape and appearance 'throughout the life of the trousers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cuir in its unfolded state and constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the cuff in its folded state with its free ends stitched together;

FIG. 2 shows the once folded cuff with the free cuff ends disposed interiorly of the trouser leg;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and shows the fully formed cui secured to the trouser leg;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but shows the cu partially unfolded to more clearly illustrate the connection between cuff and the trouser leg;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view, shown schematically of one side of the trouser leg and illustrates the various folds of the cuff;

FIG. 6 is a very similar to FIG. 5 but shows the cuff at a different position with respect to the end of the trouser leg;

lFIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional View of one side of a trouser leg provided with an integrally formed inner and outer cuff;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional view of the trouser leg shown in FIG. 7 with the cuff unfolded;

FIG. 9 is a View similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the line along which the unfolded cuff is severed;

FIG. l0 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but shows the trouser leg shortened;

FIG. ll is a schematic, fragmentary cross sectional view of the side of the shortened trouser leg with an end of the severed cuff secured thereto; and

FIG. l2 is a view similar to FIG. 11 and shows the folded cuff as `fully secured to the shortened trouser leg.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a new pair of trousers 14 has trouser legs 16 of an excess length which is greater than the normally expected maximum length of a person who may wear the trousers. Each trouser includes a pair of cuffs having a peripheral configuration matching that of the trouser legs and is defined by first and second ends 22 and 24. Each cuff includes an upper fold line 26 positioned midway between the ends and a pair of lower fold lines 28 positioned half way between the upper fold line and the respective end of the cuff. The cuff is folded at each line by 180 so that it defines an inner cuff member and an outer cuff member 32 and the ends are disposed adjacent each other as best seen in FIG. 5. The free cuff ends are stitched together at 38 (best seen in FIG. 1A) to minimize or prevent the fraying of the cuff material at the ends.

The trousersand the cuffs are constructed of the same material, have the same color and each includes opposed creases 34 and 36, respectively, which are positioned to be aligned with each other. If contrasts are desired, the cuffs can, of course, be constructed of a different mate-l rial and/or color than that of the trousers. A creaseproofing agent is applied to the trousers and the folded and creased cuffs and cured in a known manner to impart durability to the creases and folds and to prevent the undesirable wrinkling of the garment when worn. The trousers are then stocked by a merchandiser according to their size but without regard to their trouser leg length.

The cuffs are preferably constructed of two halves 29a and 2917, sewn together at 29C, and the ensuing seams and creases are arranged so that they match, or can be lined up with the corresponding seams 16a and creases 34 in the trouser leg. See FIG. 4.

At the point of sale, the trouser length is shortened to define a free trouser end 18 and cuffs 20 are secured thereto as follows: The free trouser end is placed between the folded inner cuff member 30 so that stitched together ends 22 and 24 of the cuff are disposed of the trouser leg. (See FIG. 2.) Creases 34 and 36 as well as seams 16a and 29C on the leg and the cuff are aligned and the cuff is moved with respect to the trouser leg to obtain the correct length of the trousers. Thus, free end 18 of the trouser may be positioned closely adjacent the ends of the cuff (shown in FIG. 5) to lengthen the trousers by as much as 1% inches, if the cuff width is about 11/2 inches, or closely adjacent the lower fold lines of the cuff members (shown in FIG. 6) and the ends of the cuff are secured to the interior of the trouser leg in a conventional manner, preferably by stitching it thereto from the interior of the trouser legs to define hemline 40. Alternative methods of securing the cuff to the trouser leg, such as by bonding it thereto with known bonding agents, for example, can, of course, be employed.

As 4best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cuffs at all times cover lower end 18 of the trouser legs make the ends invisible from the exterior and give the trousers the appearance of trousers having integrally constructed cuffs. The inner and outer cuff members 30` and 32 give the cuff strength as only found in integrally cuifed, high quality trousers; prevent the sagging or collapse of the cuffs under adverse conditions such as rain or after extended wear; and prevent the accumulation of dirt or debris in hidden crevices, such as between the trouser leg and the portion of the cuff disposed interiorly of the leg, since the lower trouser end 18 can be hemmed to the cuff at 40 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 12, a method for adjusting the length of trousers 42 with integrally constructed cuffs 44 having inner and outer cuff members 46 and 48 and defining lower ends 50 of trouser legs 52 is described. Stitching 54 with which inner ends 56 of the cuffs are secured to the interior of the trouser legs is removed and each cuff unfolded so that its centrally located upper fold 58, lower inner fold 60 and lower outer fold 62 define ridges, as shown in FIG. 8, 'by virtue of the presence of the crease proofing agent in the material. The cuff is severed along a line defined by the lower inner fold, as shown in FIG. 9, and the trouser leg is shortened by severing a length 64 thereof as shown in FIG. l0. The cuff is now inverted to position its outer side 66 (as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10 on the interior of the generally cylindrically shaped unfolded cuff (shown in FIG. 1l) and positioned exteriorly of the trouser leg to align a first cuff end 68 with a free end 70 of the shortened trouser leg. The cuff is now secured to the trousers adjacent its rst end as by stitches 72, folded according to the orientation of the ridges of the upper and the lower outer fold lines 58 and 62, respectively, to position a second end 74 interiorly of the trouser leg as shown in FIG. l2. The second end is secured to the trouser leg, as by stitches 76 to complete the adjustment in the length of trousers 42. Again, the cuff covers the joint between the first cuff end and the trouser end as described above.

It will be noted that all fold lines of the cuffs stitched to the shortened trouser leg are the fold lines of the original cuffs 44 `which formed an integral part with the trouser legs. Thus, full advantage of the permanence of the fold lines from the crease-proofing agent is obtained. At the same time, the cuil? attached to the shortened trouser legs again delines inner and outer cuit members, the outer cuit member being identical to the outer cuff member of the original cuff and the inner cui member being dened by the lower end portion of the shortened trouser leg and an adjoining, parallel portion 78 of the severed cuil? intermediate rst cuff end 68 and upper fold 58. No loose members of the cuff, which may move, wrinkle, and cause the accumulation of dirt such as in the crevice formed between portion 78 and 80 (see FIG. 12) are present to assure a permanent cuff with an appearance identical to a cui formed integrally with the trouser leg.

I claim:

1. A method for changing the length of trousers constructed of a fibrous material treated with a crease-proofing agent and having cult-ed ends, the method comprising the steps of (a) severing a cuff of the trousers having inner and outer lower fold lines and an upper fold line from a trouser leg at the inner lower fold line between said leg and said Gulf,

(b) changing the length of the trouser leg, and

(c) securing a rst cuil end to the end of the trouser leg so that cut material between said cufI" end and the upper fold line ofthe cuff is essentially straight, parallel with and adjoining said trouser leg.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of aligning cuff creases with trouser leg creases prior to securing the cu to the trouser leg.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the severed cufrr is further dened by a second cuff end adjacent the outer lower fold line, and including the step of securing said second cut end to an inner side of said trouser leg.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of securing the rst cuff end to the trouser leg comprises positioning the first cuff end on the exterior of said trouser leg so that said first cuff end is proximate the end of said trouser leg, said upper fold line is remote of said trouser end, and stitching material adjacent the irst cuif end to said trouser leg.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,822,596 2/ 1958 Aaskov 2-232 X 3,166,765 1/ 1965 Getchell 2-243X 3,435,463 4/1969 .lay 2--269 FOREIGN PATENTS 161,138 2/1955 Australia. 779,482 7/ 1957 Great Britain.

ALFRED R, GUEST, Primary Examiner 

